Press Releases

EMSB CONTINUES PILOT PROJECT ON SEX EDUCATION

MONTREAL, SEPTEMBER 16, 2010– Though parents are the primary source of guidance for young people concerning their sexual behavior and values, schools are in a unique position to provide students with the knowledge, understanding, skills, and attitudes they will need to reflect upon and make decisions that promote their sexual health.

Last year, an innovative approach to the Ministry of Education, Leisure and Sports (MELS) Sex Education Guidelines was piloted in six secondary schools within the English Montreal School Board. The project took place in two secondary schools per region; Lester B. Pearson High School in Montreal North and Vincent Massey Collegiate in Rosemount (Region 1); LaurenHill Academy in St. Laurent and Rosemount High School (Region 2); and James Lyng High School in St. Henri and Royal Vale High School in N.D.G. (Region 3)

In each of the selected schools, a Sex Education Committee was formed. The role of this committee was to assess the specific needs of the school population in terms of sex education and plan a teacher training day including the presentation of the MELS Sex Education guidelines document entitled “Sex Education in theContext of Education Reform.”.

A two-day school committee training session was organized by Pedagogical and Student Services to explain the role of the Sex Education School Committee, and introduce the aim of the MELS program. Resources available at the EMSB, other organizations, and on the internet were also presented to the participants. This workshop allowed school teams time to discuss their specific school needs in relation to sex education and teacher training, and present elements of their school plan of action.
“Well-planned and implemented sexual health education programs are effective in helping youth reduce their risk of STI/HIV infection and unplanned pregnancy,” stated Halette Djandji, the EMSB ERC and Sex Education Consultant who is retiring this month. “

Adds EMSB Chairman Angela Mancini: “An important goal of sexual health education is to provide education on various dimensions of sexuality such as the development of a positive body image and the integration of sexuality into non violent and equitable interpersonal relationships.”

The pilot project will continue during the 2010-11 academic year as teacher training is being provided in these six high schools.